Charleston, SC – Following his widely panned debate performance against Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford is backing away from his plea for more debates.“I know I spent the last two weeks insisting there should be more debates,” stated Sanford on a conference call with reporters, “but after last night, I feel I’ve made my case to the voters and I have nothing left to prove.”

Sanford is trailing Colbert Busch in the latest polls and is fighting against high unfavorability ratings following his stint as governor that included 37 ethics charges and $70,000 in fines.

The election for the House seat representing South Carolina’s first congressional district will be held on Tuesday, May 7.